The weekend of January 23, 2010, we attended the state meeting of the Izaak Walton League of America in Bedford. Since we like a more scenic route, we took State Route 982 from Connellsville to Donegal then the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Bedford. As the journey progressed east, nature really revealed its beauty.

Approaching the Allegheny Tunnel, we saw that the trees were covered in ice. On the previous Friday, a freezing rain hit the area and covered the trees with about a 1/2-inch of ice. The sun was just coming over the horizon. The sunlight held an unusually pure-white brightness, which seemed to pierce through the frozen roadside mountain wilderness. Against a backdrop of a beautiful blue sky, the trees sparkled through the early morning sunlight as if they were encrusted in elongated diamonds. Frozen grasses and other undergrowth were heavy with ice crystals, and made the lower canopy appear as if it were in a dreamy mist. It was a poetic moment.

As the trip progressed, I noticed a cloud at the top of the mountain. Leaving the tunnel, we drove into a fog bank that was actually pink in color. The light from the sun caused the fog to glow a soft pink color. Progressing further, we noticed that the color became more saturated and transformed into a multitude of bold pink hues. These scenic vistas were memorable and will not be forgotten.

Closer to Bedford, the snow had melted away and the grass was beginning to turn green in some fields. Looking off to my right, my friend noticed over 20 deer walking in a single line along a mountainside. The deer just added to the trip.

On the return trip, we were quite pleased to see the ice still on the trees and the sunlight was still making the forest look as if was full of diamonds. At that time, I realized that the trees really are diamonds. The forests are one of the few natural resources that are renewable. Then my mind went to another and probably the most important natural resource -WATER. I began to think of all the time I have spent using water in my lifetime. My thoughts went back to some of my early fishing trips with my dad. Then I thought of the times we swam and fished in Ten-Mile Creek.

My thoughts went back to two years ago when I had a chance to canoe the stream. It was one of my most enjoyable trips that I have had in recent years (despite the fact that our canoe capsized). If you want a break from the rat race, try going on a canoe trip on Ten-Mile Creek. This might be easier than one thinks since plans are going forward on the proposed waterways trail. Hopefully in the upcoming years, the trail will be in full operation for all to enjoy.

While being flooded with "warm and fuzzy feelings," my thoughts came to the sudden reality of how long will we have the opportunity to use the stream. The destruction of Duke Lake at Ryerson Station State Park and the total devastation of Dunkard Creek with no recompense for either needless acts, makes me wonder how long before Ten-Mile goes by the wayside.

The ongoing coal bed methane extraction and the Marcellus Shale drilling seem to loom over Ten-Mile like a cloud of death waiting to happen. New wells are being drilled at the headwaters of the North Fork of Ten-Mile while more and more water is being removed from the South Fork of Ten-Mile. How long before another Dunkard disaster hits?

I have not heard one word from our state elected officials about the attack on our water systems. What I have seen is more discharge permits with lower standards in the water treatment. This must stop if we want to have acceptable water quality for fishing, swimming, boating, drinking and bathing. If we are not careful, the gas boom will leave our area with a toxic environment and unsafe drinking water. The residents of the Brownsville area have been recently notified by their water authority that the TDS levels are raising and future cost of cleaning the water will increase. There is no need for this! Senator Casey has introduced the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemical Act (FRAC ACT) into Congress. As of this date, no active movement has occurred on the bill. I would highly recommend that every resident take a few minutes to either write or phone Senator Casey's office and show support for his bill. As of now, controls on fracing water are not found in the Safe Drinking Water Act. In fact, there is no control on the water at all. There are no guidelines to treat the water. The failure of control is referred to as the "Halliburton Loophole."

Thank you, Mr. Cheney, for the omission.

On Jan. 30, 2010, there will be a meeting at the Mt. Morris Community Building at 1 p.m. in the afternoon. A candidate for the governor's office (Joe Hoeffel) will be at the meeting to hear your complaints. NOW IS THE TIME TO SPEAK UP! Your attendance will show that you support your right to clean water. See you there.

As always, church on Sunday just seems to make to week go better.